Troy Treasure: Annual 112th St. friends group dinner, comedy roast in good taste — even if the jokes sometimes aren’t

Most things in life evolve, and some things stay the same. The annual Friends of 112th St. Dinner falls into the later category. The faces have changed over the years, but the level of abuse remains status quo.

For more than three decades, the dinner has raised money to benefit multiple Lansingburgh causes. Supporting youth organizations, persons in need, scholarships for deserving students, as well as community events, the group distributes every single dollar it raises.

The event will be held start at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, at St. Augustine’s Hall, 534 Fourth Ave. Tickets cost $35, which can be purchased from any of the committee members, or at 41 Sports Bar, Tom Burtnick’s Barber Shop and Grethan-Cahrenger Memorials.

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For the price of the ticket you get some good food, along with a belly full of laughs. The skits, along with the guest speakers are hilarious in most cases.

Mick Cahrenger, who used to put everyone asleep with his feeble attempt at comedy, was much better last year. Jimmy Lance however, delivers his punch lines — with a sledge hammer. Jim definitely missed his calling as a stand-up comic.

Neil Kelleher took over where his late father left off. Neil is just brutal, deeming no topic as taboo. The skits attack everything and everyone. Being a frequent target of these guys, let’s just say you need to be prepared for anything and have thick skin.

Awards are given for Citizen of the Year, as well as contributions and achievements to the ‘Burgh’s sports programs.

According to the Friends’ of 112th St.’s Caporegime Bob Kilgallon, committee members have a few surprises up their sleeves this year, so be prepared. Over all, it’s just such an outstanding evening of reconnecting with old friends, and making new ones.

People fly in from throughout the country to attend this annual Lansingburgh rite of passage. I encourage everyone to take the time and make your way up to 114th St. and 4th Avenue to join us. This years event will be dedicated to longtime committee members, Tucker Hulihan and Gene Blair.

As I wrote in my December column, our inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting at Powers Park was a huge success. Many folks stepped up to the plate, including National Guard Staff Sgt. Anthony Buchanan, Staff Sgt. Doulas Kirsch and Pfc. Devon Carpenter.

Councilman Mark McGrath, who I’ve teased quite a bit in this column over the past eight years, recently stepped down due to term limit restrictions. He did an outstanding job representing his district and was always there at every event we did. He always offered his assistance and time, and was never afraid to go into his pocket if needed.

For this, he gets my admiration, a salute and thanks for being a councilman who supported our neighborhood groups and our community events.

Vito Ciccarelli is a longtime activist in Lansingburgh. Troy Treasures is a project of the Troy Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (TRIP) Inc.